plate no. 8519

Departure for the Hunt in the Pontine Marshes

oilRomanticismlandscapetreesforestwaterfiguresanimalslandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering complex tree forms. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and capturing the subtle variations in light and shadow within a forest scene.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees and the horizon line.
step 02
Establish the dark and light values using a thin wash of burnt umber or a similar dark brown.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color, starting with the background and working towards the foreground.
step 04
Begin refining the shapes of the trees, paying attention to the details of the bark and branches.
step 05
Add the figures and animals, keeping them small and indistinct to maintain the sense of distance.
step 06
Develop the reflections in the water, using horizontal brushstrokes and slightly darker values.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Refine the details and make any necessary adjustments to the composition.

color palette

primary · dark green · brown · ochre

secondary · gray · blue-gray · cream

Mix greens by combining blues and yellows with a touch of brown. Achieve the muted tones by adding small amounts of complementary colors to your mixes.

techniques